Launched first in the UK, January 1980, the ZX80 was the first home computer costing under £100.00 - available assembled (£99.95) or in kit form (£79.95). It was named after its processor; the Z80 - the 'X' meaning 'the mystery ingredient'. It contained 1KB of RAM and 4KB of ROM and had no sound output. The ZX80 contains limited screen and video output.

It was widely acclaimed for its value and documentation, but also receiving criticism for the keyboard design, and occasional blacking out of the screen when programs were run. The ZX80's successor was the Sinclair ZX81, and later the ZX Spectrum.

Normal Qwerty keyboard. Fake ventilation stripes that are merely black stripes for cosmetic show. Some of the plastic has slightly yellowed, but due to being the USA version of the ZX80, the plastic is thicker, therefore stronger, so it has not been cracked. The keyboard is almost untouched.

There are printed labels on the back of the case, with off-white text in black boxes.

Manufacturer: Science of Cambridge Ltd
Date: June 1980

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH71170. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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